Questions About Nebulas & Protostars - Get Answers Now

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In summary, a nebula can stay in its form for a variable amount of time before igniting a protostar, as it may require an outside nudge for collapse. The protostar can also have a variable timeframe before becoming a complete star. When thermonuclear reactions begin, a cloud of gases and debris can remain around the protostar for some time. The formation of planets typically takes place further out from the protostar's orbit, as the nebula does not collapse completely and the outer material forms into larger objects. The size of a nebula can be many light years across and its density is less than a laboratory vacuum, with the temperature near the edges being close to background temperature.
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maximus
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i have some questions regarding nebulas and protostars:

1) how long does a nebula stay in its form before egniting a protostar? (typically)

2) how long does the protostar stay in its form before it becomes a complete star? (typically)

3) when the protostar initially begins its thermonuclear reactions, does the cloud of gases and derbis remain around it? and if so, how long?

4)does the formation of planets begin in the nebula, and then spiral out of the protostar's orbit later on? or does this formation take place further out?

5) what is the typical size of a nebula? its density? its temperature (near the edges)?

thank you in advance for your responces...
 
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  • #2
I'd have to dig into my notes for exact timeframes, etc. But here are some initial off-the-cuff responses. Sorry for the lack of specific numbers. If no one else provides them, I'll try to check my notes for you.

(1) It may be that a nebula requires an outside nudge to get the collapse started (like a gravitational nudge from a passing star or other nebula). So, the timeframe can be short or very long (given that some are still around).

(3) Yes. There are many examples of rings around newly forming stars (the rings being the residual material that has yet to fall into the star or to form planets). Or did you mean in the immediate vicinity of the star itself?

(4) Further out. The nebula does not collapse 100%. Most of the material reaches the center to form the star. Conservation of momentum, etc. causes the collapsing nebula to flatten out and spin faster (toward the center). So some of the interior material is spun outward too. The matter in the outer disk has its own gravitational dynamics and starts to clump together into bigger objects (which thereby develop stronger gravitational fields and sweep up more of the residual matter). Note that in the early stages of solar system formation, many planetoids with non-stable orbits are produced and many collisions, ejections, and fallings-into the star occur. For example, our solar system was only able to sustain stable orbits for 8 major planets (and many smaller objects of course).

(5) Many light years across (trillions of miles). The density is less than a vacuum (I don't mean a Hoover :wink:) that you could create in a laboratory. I would imagine that the temperature near the edges would be close to background temperature.
 

1. What is a nebula?

A nebula is a large cloud of gas and dust in outer space. These clouds are often hundreds of light years across and can be the birthplace of new stars.

2. How are nebulae formed?

Nebulae are formed from the remnants of previous stars. When a star dies, it sheds its outer layers, including gas and dust, into space. This material can then clump together and form a nebula.

3. What is the difference between a protostar and a star?

A protostar is a young, developing star that is still in the process of accumulating mass and contracting under its own gravity. Once a protostar reaches a certain temperature and density, nuclear fusion begins and it becomes a fully formed star.

4. How long does it take for a protostar to become a star?

The process of a protostar becoming a star can take anywhere from a few hundred thousand to a few million years. This time frame can vary depending on the size and mass of the protostar.

5. Can protostars turn into anything other than stars?

No, protostars can only become stars. Once nuclear fusion begins, the protostar becomes a stable, self-sustaining entity and can no longer change into any other type of object.

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